Animal trap



Nov. s, 1928. 1,690,755

- F. J. RUFLE ANIMAL TRAP Filed May 9, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Qwwmtoz f d Fa/YE,

Nov. 6, 1928. 1,690,755

' F. J. RUFLE ANIMAL TRAP Filecj. May 9, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H I HEIHHH' Patented Nov. 6, 1928.

UNITED" STATES FRED J. RUFLE, OF LANDER COUNTY, NEVADA.

ANIMAL TRAP.

Application filed May 9,

My invention relates to animal traps in general and has particular reference to a device for catching moles, gophers, prairie dogs, or the like and among other advantages consists in a trap that may be readily set with the foot to prevent the animal from picking up any scent of the hands. It is so constructed as to render its being easily placed within the hole or burrow in its set position permitting the animal to readily pass through it, and may be easily set oil, locked by assured action which will effectually grip and pierce the animal. The trap in its entirety being composed of but a rela tively few number of parts as to render its reuse a maximum number of times. The scope of my invention extends to whatever constructions may be defined by or included within the terms or language of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective illustrating my trap in its set position.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof showi ing the'trap in its sprung position;

Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Figure 4, and

Figure 6 is a detailed sectional view more clearly illustrating the trigger member.

My invention in the form or embodiment shown in the drawing and briefly described, comprises a longitudinally extending bar 10, on which is mounted the jaws indicated generally as at 11, the trigger mechanism shown as at 12, a flat spring for locking the device indicated as at, 13, and a setting oil mechanism, 14, all of which being supported upon the bar, 10. The forward end of the longitudinally extending bar, 10, is curved downwardly as at, 15, for the purpose of readily seating this portion of the trap in the ground so that the animal in entering will not come in contact with any abrupt edges.

The pivotally mounted rods, 16, have formed thereon the jaws, 11, at their forward ends and the substantially large loops, 17, at their rear ends, and are pivotally mounted in the strap, 18, which is riveted t0 the forward end of the bar, 10, and to the upwardly extended ears, 19 and 20, located near the rear of the bar. As shown in Figure 2 the 1927. Serial No. 190 007.

the ground or the bottom of the hole or furrow as possible and at the same time permit ample movement or space for the flat spring, 18, at their rear ends. The rods, 16, it will be noted, are pivoted on either side of the bar, 10, at their forward ends whereas the other pivotalfends at their rear are relatively close so as to enable the rear ends, 17, of the loops, 17, to readily pass through the opening, 23, of the upper leaf of the spring, 13. I

In this manner the spring, 13, is provided on its lower leaf with an opening, 22, which is located around the lug, 20, whereas the hinge or flared end, 23, of the upper leaf is provided with an opening of a suitable size so as to permit it to pass over the lug, 20, together with the adjacent portions of the loops, 17. The loops, 17, being integrally formed with the rods which support the jaws, 11, renders the trap to be firmly locked whcnsprung and relatively immovable when set. It will be noted that the points, 24, of the aw's, 11, overlap each other as shown in Figure 3 when the trap is sprung in what might be termed a shearing action. This construction it will be readily seen provides an excellent means for effectively holding the animal after the trap has been sprung.

The novel manner of trigger and locking mechanism associated with this invention consists of the pivotally mounted latch plate, 14, which is carried on the outer ends of the transversely extending strip, 26, which is in turn suitably riveted to the under side of the bar, 10. This latch plate is preferably located approximately midway between the jaws and the loops, 17, so as to be easily operated by the soil which the animal pushes ahead of it during its passage through the hole or burrow. For the purpose of limiting the pivotal movement of the latch plate, 25, I provide a pair of integrally formed and oppositely projectingends which are preferably constructed up from this plate. These oppositely projecting ends, 27 and 28, are adapted to bear against either of the rods, 16, as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 5.

The trigger rod, 29, is pivotally mounted through the lug or ear, 19, and the upstanding portion 30, of the strip, 31, Th e strip, 31, is of course carried by th e b ar, 10, and preferably riveted thereto or'secured in any other manner. The rod, 29, is formedon its forward end withfa loop, 32, which is adapted for engagement with the latch plate, 25, and also provided on its rear end with a backwardly bent 3 portion, 33, and adapted for engagement with the latch piecey To prevent 1 the displacement of the rod 29 I locate an 'eular ed head or 5 t 7 D collar, 35, adjacent to theear, 19, as shown in, F gures 2 and ,The strip, 31, a js'uppmnn aimed (if 15" extending end and forwardly curved portion for pivotally mounting thela tch plate, 3 l so that it will freely rotate thereon,

the rod, 29, is provided with anfoutw'ardly In "settingiiiy improved trap with the ln ini nuin ainount of manipulation by human hands I liaveiou'nd itfdesl irable to depress the springy-13; with the foot whichperniits the the loops to openi It istthen "but necessary to throw the piece, 34,

overthe ad'acent loo) 1'? swin lthe rot 29, until the baolrwardly bent portion,- 33,

Will loe s eated against the tip of the latch piece, 34;, or t ammate Figure 6, and .then to swing the latch plate, 25, over the hookediendp32 as clearly shown in Figure, 5

whenthe-fp'ressure 1tli'e ,foot ma he re-- leased, The flat s'pr1ng, 13,,'may of course 'act 'a handle in the I placing of the trap in its prop'er 'position within the hole. XVliatIclaiin ism I i device the,q11aracgr described cp pr'ising. a longitudinally eiitending bar provida with ears on its forward end aiida pair of forwardly extendingdugs on the rear end thereof, a pair of downwardly and diverging rods having jaws on their forward ends and relatively large loop portions' on the rearends' thereof said rods bepivotally mounted in the ears and lugs carried by said longitudinally extending bar, a pivotally nounted rod located intermediate said rods for carrying the jaws and provided ,With a loop. portion ,on its forward end a backwardly bent portion on the rear jendth ereolif, piyotallyfniot nted latchr'piece adapted lor engagement with said backwardly bent end, a swinging latch platearranged to coope 'rate with i said hook ;erid, nd a spring located adjacent to said loop 'en'ds, normally tendinguto close the jaws. J2. an animal trap coniprisingalongitudinally extending bar, a pair ,oflongitudinally extending oppositely disposed, .ijods, haying jaw portions and formed at one lend wit spring engaging loops, said rods i being pivoted on said har a springat one end of saifdba'r for coinpres'singv saidllofops to r0 

